Mosaic Arts International 2013

Mosaic Arts International 2013 is a juried art show that presents the best in contemporary mosaics from the Society of American Mosaic Artists’ (SAMA) diverse international membership. The exhibition is held in conjunction with the SAMA Annual Conference, which will take place in Tacoma April 10 – 13, 2013.

“This juried exhibition provides a unique opportunity to view outstanding examples of mosaic art from around the world within a single venue, illustrating the exciting ways that artists are utilizing this ancient art form with a modern and contemporary approach,” said Shug Jones, President of the SAMA Board of Trustees. “These artists are using both traditional and non-traditional materials and techniques to really propel the art form to a degree unseen in recent history.”

The exhibition includes nearly 50 individual works, both two-dimensional and three-dimensional, that incorporate materials varying from ceramic and glass to rusted metal, petrified wood and dinosaur bones. Exhibition jurors are artist Jordan Howland, Seattle, Washington; Vice President of the Mosaic Association of Australia and New Zealand Pamela Irving, Melbourne, Australia; and Educational Director of the Chicago Mosaic School, Matteo Randi, Chicago, Illinois.

In addition to the juried works, the exhibit will include  the work of Japan’s premier mosaic artist, Toyoharu Kii, who is also the keynote speaker at the annual SAMA Conference in Tacoma, April 10-13, 2013. Mr. Kii exhibits his work internationally and has participated in some of the most prestigious mosaic arts exhibitions in Europe and the Soviet Union.

To round out the Mosaic Arts International exhibition at the Museum of Glass, exhibiting artist Jo Braun of Seattle will discuss where this ancient craft-associated medium stands in relation to the world of contemporary fine art. Her presentation goes beyond Roman floors, Byzantine basilicas, and decorative house wares and offers the audience a view into how contemporary artists around the world are using mosaic-inspired techniques to create fresh, vital forms of visual expression.